A few questions

[missmommy]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and plan on breastfeeding my baby but I have a few questions for you all.

1) What is the best type of pump to buy? I plan on trying to BREAST feed as much as possible (not pump and give in a bottle) but I know there will be times when my daughter will be with a babysitter that I'll have to pump so I'll need to buy one.

2) Are boppys worth the money?

3) Nipple sheilds-tell me about your experiences with them. Do they work, are they a waste of money?

4) Anything else I need to know? Any extra tips or advice would be great, tell me anything and everything from the horror stories to the success stories. I'm prepared for everything from cracked and bleeding nipples to nursing a toddler

Thanks ladies!

 

[vanessayogini]

hello! WOW those are great questions and i could probably spend a lot of time answering them..BUT i'm going for the short versions as who know how long i'll have to type with both hands!

1. electric pumps are great! they can be EXPENSIVE, try ebay or perhaps a friend who breastfed and has one you can borrow. Medela makes some good models and honestly those are the ones i see women with most often. for myself i use a manual pump because i prefer controlling the suction! so you have a couple options there. if you are interested in "occasional use" perhaps a manual one would be more economical. i use the Medela harmony pump.
2. i know a lot of women who found the boppy very useful! especially women who had c-sections, it was more comfy on their tender tummy's. i used one for the first week or so but have not used it once since. i think that it is a good thing to have.
3. what do you mean by, "do they work?" ? a shield should generally not be used during the first week after birth unless there is an obvious problem such as prematurity or difficulty latching. and if those problems arise, in general they should be considered a short-term solution and should be used under the guidance of a lactation consultant.
4. this is a big one! i could go ON AND ON. ok. i am fairly lucky in that she latched on immediately (i had a natural unmedicated birth). the rough patches i've encountered have been during growth spurts when the baby cluster feeds and it seems like NO MATTER WHAT SHE'S STILL HUNGRY and i have felt like i've FAILED and that it's SO HARD...but then it passes! and when it happens again i'm slightly more prepared and it has gotten easier and easier. don't give up! know that if you have a medicated birth it could affect that baby's ability to latch on IT DOESN'T MEAN THE BABY WON'T, keep trying, tell the people around you that you are breastfeeding and you need support. there are many things that can and will arise, if you have questions or concerns, seek out answers!! there are people that are willing to help. find them.

haha, those are the "short versions" of my answers. i'm sure you'll get lots of great advice here! good luck!

 

[Maffie]

Hi it's great being perepared, agreed great questions

1) What is the best type of pump to buy? I plan on trying to BREAST feed as much as possible (not pump and give in a bottle) but I know there will be times when my daughter will be with a babysitter that I'll have to pump so I'll need to buy one.

I bought a manual pump, but ended up wit an electric one when I kept suffering bad thrush and the pain on latching had me screaming (I pump every morning too as well as feed my baby so I have a good store in the freezer.

2) Are boppys worth the money?

I didnt get one but wish I had, I normally have Noah on a dunlopillow, it's made of latex and he seems comfy on it. I was uncomfortable feeding at first due to ECS but can feed without any pillow now.

3) Nipple sheilds-tell me about your experiences with them. Do they work, are they a waste of money?

Tried these when I had thrush Noah wouldn't entertain them, so waste of money to us.

4) Anything else I need to know? Any extra tips or advice would be great, tell me anything and everything from the horror stories to the success stories. I'm prepared for everything from cracked and bleeding nipples to nursing a toddler

I think its important to remember babies feed often and there will be times when you feel chained to the sofa feeding, but get comfy with mags, dvds, drinks and snacks and feed away. I spend my evenings from 5pm now feeding hourly but that gets Noah into bed at 8-9pm and he sleeps till the morning.

Good luck with it all and remember we are all here to offer support.

 

[TennisGal]

1. I had a Tommeee Tippee electric and manual to start...never got to grips with the manual, and then switched the electric to a Medela Swing a couple of months ago. DD really doesn't like EBM, but when I had to go to hospital right after she was born (infected episiotomy), having a pump was a big relief.

2. I just used my pg pillow, I've always found it easier to feed DD lying down (fast let-down and easily distracted DD!!), but when sitting up...she's now used to it. Pg pillow def. did help at first.

3. Bought them, but never used them!

4. Ask for help to get started - MWs are quick to get you out of hospital, and if it wasn't for some one to one help (NOT from anyone in hospital) I'd have found it quite tough at the start. However, once you're set - it's a lovely, lovely thing to do. I love the time DD and I have quietly together, and it's brilliant knowing she's getting all she needs.

Also, there are lots of people on here who have invaluable experience - and reassuring words. They've calmed me down on many an occasion when I've worried about whether DD is eating enough etc.